In a landmark step towards fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing research-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture and environmental management, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Mumbai on March 7, 2025. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, along with Prof. Haroon Rashid Naik, Director Research, Dr. Shabir Bangroo, Assistant Professor, and Dr. Showkat Rasool, Assistant Professor, representing SKUAST-K. From IIT Bombay, key officials present included Prof. Shireesh B Kedare, Director, Prof. Upendra V Bhandarkar, Associate Dean (R&D), Prof. Anand Rao, Head of C-TARA, Prof. Pennan Chinnasamy, Associate Professor, C-TARA, and Mr. Mohamed Kasim Khan, National Coordinator- FOSSEE GIS (NMEICT), demonstrating the commitment of both institutions to fostering long-term cooperation in research, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
The MoU is designed to facilitate collaborative research projects, joint academic programs, faculty and student exchanges, and capacity building initiatives in areas of mutual interest. Specifically, the partnership will focus on integrating technological advancements into agricultural research, with an emphasis on remote sensing and GIS-based land-use planning, climate resilience, precision agriculture, water resource management, and digital agriculture platforms. Both institutions will work together to develop innovative tools and data-driven solutions that address climate change impacts, resource optimization, and sustainable land management. This collaboration is expected to leverage the technological expertise of IIT Bombay and the domain-specific agricultural knowledge of SKUAST-K, creating a robust platform for transdisciplinary innovation and real-world impact.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, underscored the importance of building strong academic linkages with premier institutions like IIT Bombay to equip researchers, students, and farmers with cutting-edge technologies that enhance resilience and productivity in the agriculture sector. He emphasized that integrating technology with agricultural sciences can unlock innovative solutions for climate-smart farming, resource-efficient practices, and real-time environmental monitoring. Prof. Shireesh B Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, expressed confidence that this partnership will serve as a model for collaborative research, blending scientific excellence with technological innovation to address pressing global challenges in food security, environmental sustainability, and rural development.
As part of the MoU, SKUAST-K shall enter into an agreement with the Rural Data Research and Analysis (RuDRA) Lab, IIT Bombay to develop state of the art data driven decision support systems dedicated for rural development, joint research, curriculum design, knowledge transfer, and internship to start with.